Detectives have arrested a suspect in the Pasadena hit-and-run that left two people dead, .
Jeffrey Butler, 30, of Altadena was taken into custody Thursday night outside his home, said Lt. Monica Cuellar, spokeswoman for Pasadena Police.
Detectives also searched the home and collected evidence. Cuellar declined to say what evidence was found, citing the ongoing investigation.
Butler was booked on suspicion of vehicular manslaughter with gross negligence, hit-and-run resulting in death and violation of parole. He is on parole for assault, Cuellar said.
The fatal collision occurred Wednesday night on Raymond Avenue and Penn Street.
The driver of a Lincoln Navigator was speeding north on Raymond Avenue. As it approached Penn Street, police said, the SUV veered into the southbound lanes to pass a vehicle stopped at a stop sign. The Navigator crashed into a Nissan Versa traveling east on Penn Street.
The Navigator continued north on Raymond and hit a parked pickup truck. The man driving the Navigator and his passenger abandoned the SUV and left the scene.
The Versa’s driver, Antonio Mendoza-Hernandez, 63, of Los Angeles, died at the scene. His passenger, Veralice Yanira Membreno Orellana, 33, of Altadena, died at a hospital.
Police initially said the Navigator had been stolen but are now saying it wasn’t.
The suspect went to the Sheriff’s Altadena station and reported the Navigator as stolen, Cuellar said. He doesn’t own the SUV, she added.
From surveillance camera and witnesses, police determined the Navigator driver who fled after the hit-and-run is the man who reported the SUV stolen, according to the lieutenant.
Police have identified the second man who was in the Navigator but have not released his name. They are still looking for him.
Butler was being held without bail at Pasadena jail. He doesn’t have a court date yet.
Pasadena Councilman Tyron Hampton sent out an email notifying residents about the crash.
“My prayers and positive…
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